Lewis & Clark State Historic Site

Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is the home of Camp River Dubois, the Expedition’s first winter encampment. The Corps of Discovery established their first camp site at the Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, along the River Dubois or Wood River. The expedition wintered here from Dec 12, 1803 until May 14, 1804. Camp River Dubois is where the Corps of Discovery was formed and where the men came to know and trust each. This served as the final staging area for the men to gather supplies and hunt before they went on their spring expedition.

Operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is 14,000 square feet interpretive center devoted to retelling the story of the Camp River Dubois. There are interactive exhibits, displays and an orientation film seen nowhere else along the trail. The interpretive center is free and open to the public year round.

The museum (if you look very closely, you’ll see the cake in the window)

Visitors are greeted by the cake upon entering!

Cake placement date: February 26

Where is the cake now?: The cake still sits inside. It has been said by museum workers that the original artist (Mike Ochonicky) was going to touch some parts of the cake up. (February 2018)